How to Make Hush Puppies

I never learned how to make hush puppies until after I visited Florida several times. Although Mom always used cornmeal in many recipes, she never made hush puppies. I did not even know what hush puppies were and perhaps Mom did not know either.  It could have been that hush puppies are generally fried in deep fat or oil. I have often shared with you that we did not cook by deep frying in my early life. Mom and Dad looked at this method of cooking as a waste of our good fat (lard) and we did not buy cooking oil. Back then, every cook was very conservative and watched their budget closely when grocery shopping.

How to Make Hush PuppiesHow to Make Hush Puppies

When traveling South from Ohio, restaurants will often serve their own hush puppy recipe with your meal. From Kentucky through Florida and all the surrounding states have made this fried fritter very common. For most, once you taste them you have to learn how to make hush puppies. The recipes have a cornmeal base having some type of leavening and liquid. From this base, a lot of other ingredients can be added. Some ingredients like tomatoes, hot peppers and spices change the flavor of these little cornmeal fritters completely.

Just what are hush puppies? After I learned how to make hush puppies, I wanted to know more about them. Why didn’t the old cooks (In my time) in Ohio cook hush puppies? How did hush puppies originate? Where did this name “hush puppies” come from? We made a lot of corn bread, biscuits and all kinds of breads. Why didn’t anyone that I knew make hush puppies?

Many who have learned how to make hush puppies probably know there are many stories behind the name. From Georgia, to Louisiana, to Alabama, to Florida, the story is basically the same. It came from cooking fish on campfires and throwing the cornmeal dough to their dogs. Here is what I have found and believe to be the more “in depth” truth. Hush puppies are truly an American idea. They were created during the Civil War (The reason for the popularity in the Southern states), and became popular thereafter.  The name did include cooking on the campfire!  While cooking over the campfire during the war, hush puppies were tossed to the hounds (The puppies) to keep them quiet.

When you learn how to cook hush puppies, you will find the story is not as important as how good these fritters are. They are great with fried fish but also with any meal. Do not just try the basic recipe but try some of the others. I especially love the ones with lots of seasoning.

NOTE: I solved the problem with the used oil so I have no waste. I let it set until cold and then strain it. After straining, I pour it into a capped bottle. It is reusable for frying other foods and in some recipes.

HOW TO MAKE HUSH PUPPIES RECIPE

Hush Puppies RecipesHush Puppies Recipes

Learn how to make hush puppies with grated potato.

  • 1 Cup cornmeal
  • 1 Cup self rising flour
  • 2 Teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Cup milk
  • 1 Small onion (Chop fine)
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • 1 Small potato (Grated)

Combine and mix together all ingredients.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to fry.
NOTE: Do not stir again.
Heat deep oil to 360F degrees; drop batter by teaspoon.
Fry until golden brown on all sides; drain on paper towels.

GERMAN HUSH PUPPIES RECIPE

German Hush Puppies RecipeGerman Hush Puppies Recipe

Learn how to make hush puppies that are quite different from our American type.

  • 1 Can (14.5 Ounces) sauerkraut
  • ½ Cup chicken broth
  • 1 Cup softened butter
  • 1 Small chopped onion
  • 1 Pound ground beef
  • 2 Cups flour
  • 4 Beaten eggs
  • Dry bread crumbs (about 10 cups)
  • Vegetable oil

In a large skillet brown beef and onion together stirring until crumbly.
Combine beef mixture with sauerkraut, broth, butter and flour.
Place mixture in a large bowl, cover and refrigerate for 8 hours.
Shape mixture into 1 ½ to 2 inch balls; dip in beaten eggs and coat in crumbs.
Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375F degrees.
Drop balls in hot oil without crowding; fry until browned.
Drain on paper towels; makes about 40 to 45.

NOTE: These are hard to cook thoroughly without making the crust really dark. I suggest making smaller balls or what I do is after frying I place in oven on a tray about 15 to 20 minutes (375 F degrees).

German Hush Puppies Before FryingGerman Hush Puppies Before Frying
Coat in BreadcrumbsCoat in Breadcrumbs

MISSOURI HUSH PUPPIES

  • ¼ Teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ Cup buttermilk
  • 1 Cup cornmeal
  • ½ Teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • ¼ Cup finely chopped onion
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Dissolve the soda in buttermilk; stir well.
Combine the cornmeal, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl.
Stir in the buttermilk mixture, egg and onion; mix well.
Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350F degrees.
Drop tablespoons of batter into hot oil; fry until brown on all sides.
Drain on paper towels; makes about 24.

SOUTHERN SHRIMP HUSH PUPPIES

  • ½ Pound medium cooked shrimp (Peeled, deveined, chopped)
  • 1 Package (16 Ounces) Mexican cornbread mix
  • 1/3 Cup flour
  • 1 Can (8 Ounces) cream style corn
  • ¼ Cup chopped green onion
  • 2 Pickled jalapeno peppers (Diced)
  • Vegetable oil

Combine cornbread mix and flour in a large bowl.
Stir in corn, green onion and jalapenos just until moistened.
Stir in shrimp until blended.
Pour oil to 3 inches deep in a large Dutch oven; heat to 375F degrees.
Drop batter by teaspoonfuls into hot oil; fry until brown on both sides.
Drain on paper towels and serve; makes about 48.

SPICY BEER HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies with spice and flavor.

  • 3 Cups cornmeal
  • 1 Cup flour
  • ½ Cup shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 1 Onion (Chop fine)
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • 1/3 Cup diced jalapeno pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon minced garlic
  • ½ Cup milk
  • ½ Cup beer
  • Vegetable oil
  • Cajun seasoning for dusting

Combine and mix cornmeal, flour and next 7 ingredients.
Slowly stir in beer and milk as needed to make a dough.
NOTE: Dough should be like cookie dough.
Roll mixture into balls; drop into hot oil until golden brown.
Dust with Cajun seasoning while still hot.

KENTUCKY DAM VILLAGE HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies with this famous chives recipe.

  • 1 Cup self rising cornmeal
  • ½ Cup self rising flour
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon paprika
  • 3 Tablespoons dry chopped chives
  • ¼ Cup minced onion
  • ¾ Cup buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil

Combine and mix together cornmeal and next 7 ingredients.
Heat 2 inches of oil in Large Dutch oven or deep fryer to 350F degrees.
Drop batter by tablespoonfuls into hot oil; cook until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels; makes about 16.

HUSH PUPPIES RECIPE

Learn how to make hush puppies flavored with green pepper and onion.

  • 2 Cups corn meal
  • 1 Cup self rising flour
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • 1 ½ Cups milk
  • 1 Large onion (Chop fine)
  • 1 Large green bell pepper (Seed and chop fine)
  • Vegetable oil

Combine all dry ingredients; stir in eggs and milk.
Stir in onion and green pepper (Mixture should be thick).
Heat oil in large Dutch oven or a deep fryer to 350F degrees.
Dip tablespoon spoon in oil, then spoon batter into hot oil.
Cook until golden brown on all sides; drain on paper towels.
Makes 3 to 4 dozens.

SQUASH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies with squash.

  • 1 Cup mashed squash
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • ½ Cup self rising flour
  • ½ Cup self rising cornmeal
  • 1 Teaspoon sugar
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • Vegetable oil

Combine and mix together squash, egg and next 4 ingredients.
Heat oil in deep fryer; drop by teaspoon into hot oil.
Fry until golden brown on all sides; drain on paper towels.

TOMATO HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies with tomatoes, garlic, pepper and beer.

  • 1 ¼ Cups hush puppy mix
  • 1 Can (7.5 Ounces) whole tomatoes (drain and chop)
  • 1 Small onion (chop fine)
  • ¼ Cup chopped green bell pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 Teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • 1/3 Cup beer
  • Vegetable oil

Combine hush puppy mix and next 7 ingredients.
Combine the egg and beer; stir into dry mixture until moistened.
Drop batter by tablespoon into hot oil until golden brown on all sides.
Drain on paper towels; makes about 18.

BACON CHEESE HUSH PUPPIES RECIPE

Learn how to make hush puppies deliciously flavored with bacon and cheese.

  • 2 Cups yellow corn meal
  • 2 Cups flour
  • 4 Teaspoons baking powder
  • 2/3 Teaspoon salt
  • 3 Tablespoons sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 ½ Cups milk
  • 2 Beaten eggs
  • 2 Chopped green onions
  • 4 Slices bacon (Cook crisply and chop)
  • ½ Cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Combine and mix all ingredients together until moistened.
Drop by tablespoonfuls into deep hot oil
Fry until golden brown on all sides; drain on paper towels.

EASY HUSH PUPPIES RECIPE

  • 1 Cup self rising corn meal mix
  • ½ Cup milk
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 Small onion (Finely chopped)
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Measure corn meal mix in small bowl.
Gradually add milk, egg and 1 tablespoon to the bowl.
Add onion stirring until blended.
Drop by teaspoon into hot oil; fry until golden brown on all sides.
Drain on paper towels; serves 4 to 6.

TAR HILL HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies like the famous Tar Heels.

  • 1 Pound fine corn meal
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • 1 Tablespoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • Pinch of baking soda
  • 1 Cup buttermilk

Duke’s Peanut Oil for frying

Combine first 6 ingredients together.
NOTE: You want a thick consistency that will drop from a spoon. If needed add a little water.
Heat oil to 375F degrees in deep fryer; drop by teaspoon and brown on all sides.
Drain on paper towels.

FRESH TOMATO GREEN ONION HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies with fresh vegetables.

  • 1 Cup yellow cornmeal
  • ½ Cup flour
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon sugar
  • ¼ Teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ Teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • ¼ Cup milk
  • 1 Fresh tomato (Dice)
  • ¾ Cup sliced green onion
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Combine cornmeal and next 6 ingredients in large mixing bowl.
Combine egg and milk; stir into cornmeal mixture just to moisten.
Add tomato and green onion; drop batter by teaspoon into hot oil.
Cook until golden brown on all sides; drain on paper towels.
Makes about 3 dozen.

JALAPENO HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies with spicy jalapeno flavor.

  • 1 Cup flour
  • ½ Cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1 Teaspoon salt
  • 1 Teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 Teaspoon coriander
  • 1 Teaspoon cumin
  • 1 Teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 ½ Cups chopped fresh mushrooms
  • 1 ½ Cups chopped onion
  • ½ Cup chopped jalapeno peppers (Seed and chop fine)
  • ¾ Cup sour cream
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Sour cream for garnish

Combine flour and next 6 ingredients in large bowl.
Add the mushrooms, onion and jalapeno; mix well.
Add the ¾ CUP sour cream stirring until dry ingredients are moist.
Pour vegetable oil 2 inches deep in a large Dutch oven or deep fryer.
Heat oil to 375F degrees; drop batter by tablespoonfuls into hot oil.
Cook 5 to 6 hush puppies at a time until golden 3 to 4 minutes turning 1 time.
Drain on paper towels and serve with sour cream; makes about 36.

BAKED HUSH PUPPIES

Learn how to make hush puppies by baking in the oven.

  • ½ Cup yellow cornmeal
  • ½ Cup flour
  • 1 ½ Teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ Teaspoon salt
  • ½ Teaspoon sugar
  • 1/8 Teaspoon dried red pepper
  • 1 Beaten egg
  • 1/3 Cup canned evaporated milk
  • ¼ Cup chopped green onion
  • 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Vegetable cooking spray

Preheat oven to 425F degrees.
Coat miniature muffin tins with cooking spray.
Combine cornmeal and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl.
In another bowl combine egg, milk, green onion and oil; mix well.
Add egg mixture to the dry mixture stirring just until combined.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until lightly browned; remove from pans.
Serve with butter or sour cream; makes about 18.